Felician Sister Mary Yvonne (Janet, Mary Barnabia) Karczewski, 91, died on July 7, in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Poland, she moved to Chicago before entering the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1946 and professing her final vows in 1954. She ministered as an elementary school teacher in various schools in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota. She also served as the art coordinator for the Felician archdiocesan schools.  

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at St. Helen (1953-1955, 1958-1960), Our Lady of the Garden (1957-1958), Holy Innocents (1962-1965), St. Joseph (1969-1977, 1982-1985), St. Stanislaus, Posen (1977-1980), Sacred Heart 1981-1982) and St. James (1986-1987).

Sister Joan (Joseph Bernard) Zlogar, 90, died July 14 in St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana.

Born in Joliet, Sister Joan entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1958.

She ministered in education for 30 years as a business teacher and school administrator in Indiana, Illinois and Washington, D.C.

She also served as treasurer for her province and assistant to the treasurer for the Cenacle Sisters in Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she served at St. Mark (1953); St. Columbkille High School (1953-1957, 1958-1966); Marywood High School, Evanston (1957-1958); Mother Theodore Guerin High School, River Grove (teacher, 1969-1973; principal, 1987-1991); Josephinum High School (1986-1987); Cenacle Midwest Provincialate (1992-1997).

After retirement, she volunteered with organizations including the alumnae organization of St. Columbkille High School.

Sister Genevieve (Mary Gertruda) Pinion, 87, died July 16 at St. Dominic Villa in Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Genevieve made her first religious profession in 1942 and her perpetual profession in 1945.

She taught music for 64 years, serving in Wisconsin, Illinois and Washington, D.C. 

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Genevieve taught at Visitation High School (1945-1947) and at Rosary College/Dominican University, River Forest (1951-1996), where she was chair of the music department.

She is survived by two sisters, Gertrude Greey and Charlotte Sacks.

Divine Word Father Robert Mallonee, 83, a dean of students at Catholic Theological Union, died June 11 in Techny.

Born in Ohio, Father Mallonee entered the Society of the Divine Word after receiving a bachelor’s degree in history at age 22.

While still a seminarian, he served as a lecturer of history at Divine Word College in Miramar, Massachusetts. While studying theology at Divine Word Seminary at Techny, he worked on a master’s degree in history from Loyola University in Chicago. Later, he earned a doctor of ministry degree in pastoral counseling while serving as associate professor of pastoral care at CTU in Chicago.

Father Mallonee professed vows in 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1967. For his first assignment, he held a dual role as director of the library and director of the pastoral program at Divine Word Seminary at Techny. During this time, he also completed another master’s degree, this one in library science from Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest.

In 1971, he became an associate professor of pastoral care and the following year was appointed dean of students at CTU. During his 16-year tenure at CTU, he was invited to serve a year as a visiting professor in pastoral care at Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City, Philippines.

He returned to Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay in 1985 as director of the Arnoldus Library and lecturer in pastoral psychology and co-founded the Philippine Theological Library Association.

In 1990, he was assigned to Miramar Retreat Center, where he served as a spiritual director and counselor for more than 25 years.

Father Mallonee moved to Techny in 2017.

BVM Sister Carolyn Farrell, died June 14 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Born in Iowa, she entered the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1953 and professed final vows in 1961.

Sister Carolyn was interim president of Mundelein College, associate vice president at Loyola University and founding director of the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership.

She also was an elementary teacher at St. Tarcissus and schools in Iowa.

During her tenure as director of continuing education at Clarke University, she served on the Dubuque City Council and as mayor. Sister Carolyn also served two terms as regional representative in the BVM Congregation and as founding director of the BVM Women’s Office.

She returned to Dubuque to become the director of the Roberta Kuhn Center and served as a member of the board of trustees at Clarke University. 

She is survived by siblings Dolores Zeller, James Farrell, Margaret Whitman and Thomas Farrell.

Divine Word Father Leo Dusheck, 86, died June 15 in Techny.

Born in Pennsylvania, he began his studies with the Society of the Divine Word in 1947, professed religious vows in 1953 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1961.

During his academic career, he taught mathematics and sciences at Divine Word seminaries in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.’

In 1979, Father Dusheck’s ministry shifted gears. He became a hospital chaplain in Pittsburgh and for six years prayed for and with those in need.

In 1985, he was chosen to lead the Techny community as rector. In an interview shortly after his election, he expressed his interest in finding innovative ways to care for the retired and infirm members of the Society of the Divine Word.

Upon completing two terms as rector, he returned to Pittsburgh, where he served another six years as a hospital and prison chaplain. In 1996, he once again made Techny his home and worked in the infirmary. He moved to New Jersey in 1999 to assist at a parish until his health necessitated moving back to Techny in 2019.

He is survived by his sister, Marie Dusheck.

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Marion (Francisca) Hangsterfer, 86, died June 18 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Chicago, Sister Marion made her first religious profession in 1958 and her perpetual profession in 1961.

She was a teacher and principal, literacy volunteer and development office worker, and she served in Wisconsin, Illinois, Oklahoma, California, Texas and Florida.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Marion taught at St. Brendan (1969-1977).

Little Sister of the Poor Agathe Berchmans (Gertrude Jane Simms), 95, died May 6. She had served at St. Mary’s Home for the Elderly in Lincoln Park since 2002.

Sister Agathe was born in Denver and left home at age 16 to join the Little Sisters. She made her first profession in 1943.

Those who knew her remember her love and sincere care for others, as well as her devoted service in whatever task she was asked to fulfill.

She is survived by her brother, Steve.

Viatorian Father George J. Auger, 87, died June 2 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

Father Auger had degrees in English and religious education from Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University, a teaching certificate in French/English bilingual education from the Ecole Normale in Rigaud, Canada, and a diploma in the theology of religious life from the Lumen Vitae program in Brussels.

He taught at St. Viator High School, Arlington Heights (1961-1963, 1965-1971) and was director of the retirement wing of the Viatorian province center in Arlington Heights (1996-2004). He also taught at other high schools, served in parishes in other Illinois communities and served as his congregation’s general councilor in Rome (1988-1994).

He returned to the province center from an assignment as pastor in Kankakee in 2007, and he served as chaplain for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Palatine (2013-2016).

He is survived by his brother, Paul.

Providence Sister Edna Scheller, 88, died June 8 in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana.

Sister Edna entered the Sisters of Providence in 1950 and professed final vows in 1957.

She was an educator and health care administrator and director of transportation for her community. She ministered in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina and California.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at St. Francis Borgia (1952-1955).

Sister Edna is survived by a brother, Thomas Scheller.

Divine Word Jerzy (George) Gawlik, 66, died May 29. He was pastor of St. Joseph the Worker, Wheeling.

Father Gawlik was born in Brzozowice-Katowice, Poland. He made his first vows in 1976 and his perpetual vows in 1980 in Poland. Gawlik was ordained to the priesthood in 1981, also in Poland.

While ministering in Poland, Gawlik served as formation director and prefect of Divine Word Seminary in Nysa, formation director of Divine Word Mission in Pieniezno, and rector and novice director at Divine Word Mission House in Chludowo. Gawlik was also a missionary in the Philippines.

Since arriving in the United States in 2004, Gawlik served as both associate pastor and pastor at St. Joseph the Worker Parish.

Divine Word Father Quang Duc Dinh, provincial superior of the Society of the Divine Word Chicago Province, recalls Father Gawlik as a “great missionary” and a kind and gentle pastor.

Father John E. Flavin, 83, died May 30. He was a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview.

Born in Chicago, Father Flavin attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, completing his theological studies at the North American College and the Gregorian University in Rome before being ordained there in 1960.

He was assistant pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Catherine of Siena, Oak Park. He was pastor of St. Sebastian and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

He also served on the faculty of Quigley Preparatory Seminary North, on the staff of Liturgy Training Publications and Maryhaven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and as director of the Archdiocesan Office of Goal Setting. Father Flavin was president of the Presbyteral Senate and dean of Deaneries 3, 4 and 5 in Vicariate II, as well as the cardinal’s representative on the Pastoral Guidelines for Marriage, and had resided at St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center since 2009.

Father Flavin had a reputation of being highly intelligent, and he was active in parish ministries. At his first parish, St. Sebastian, Father Flavin supported the parish’s Dignity Mass, bilingual Masses and AIDS hospice. At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Flavin led various ministries to support families most in need.

Deacon Joseph “J. Frank” Marquez, 93, died May 18. He was ordained in 1972 and served for more than 40 years at St. Pascal Parish.

Deacon Marquez was a member of the first class of permanent deacons ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago and a U.S. Army veteran. He was an accountant and worked for Loyola University and Loyola Medical Center. 

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; children Bob, Sharon Bush, Marty, Juli, David and Amanda; and nine grandchildren.

Mercy Sister Ann Sullivan, 84, died April 20.

Born in Chicago, she attended Resurrection School and graduated from Siena High School in 1953. In 1955, Sister Ann entered the Sisters of Mercy.

From 1959-1969, Sister Ann taught at schools in Chicago, Milwaukee and Rockford.

After leaving teaching, she worked as an administrative assistant at Misericordia for two years

She then worked as an administrator in Mercy facilities in Aurora.

Benedictine Sister of Chicago Johnette Sawyer, 84, died May 2 at St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, where she had been hospitalized for three weeks after contracting COVID-19.

Sister Johnette was born in Pueblo, Colorado, and entered the monastery in 1955. She made her final vows in 1957.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught at Queen of All Saints, St. Hilary and St. Symphorosa, where she was also a sacristan in the parish. She ministered in the Diocese of Pueblo, Colorado, from the 1960s to 2015.

She is survived by her sister, Marilyn Graybill, and her brother, John.

Benedictine Sister of Chicago Joan Gannon, 97, died May 6.

Born in Chicago, she and her family were active members of St. Jerome Parish. After attending St. Scholastica High School, she entered the community as a postulant in 1940 and professed triennial vows in 1942.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she taught first grade and was parish sacristan at St. Hilary (1942-1948); taught at Mother of God, Waukegan (1948-1951); taught kindergarten at Queen of All Saints (1951-1952); performed various services at the Benedictine Monastery after losing her voice (1952-1953); taught chemistry and math and performed other duties at St. Scholastica High School (1956-1967); ministered in the infirmary (1967-1970); and worked in the language lab and business office at St. Scholastica Academy (1970-1979).

For the next 10 years, she served at several Chicago parishes, including Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Thomas Aquinas. She worked with the St. Jerome “Tip Toppers” and did several jobs in the monastery until retiring in 2014.

Sister of the Living Word Norma (Jane P.) Thelen, 82, died May 9. She had been a member of the community for 45 years.

Born in Michigan, she taught in elementary schools in Illinois, Louisiana and Michigan for 25 years. She then ministered in the field of gerontology for 27 years. She retired in 2013.

She is survived by her brothers Clair and Thomas Thelen and her sisters Rose Mary Nurenberg, Virginia Drake and Linda Thelen.

Felician Sister Mary Dionette (Theophilla) Werner, 90, died May 15 in Our Lady of the Angels Convent.

Born in Poland, she moved to Chicago and attended Good Counsel High School. She entered the Felician Sisters postulancy in 1949 and professed her final vows in 1957. 

She ministered as an elementary school teacher in various schools in Illinois and also served as a librarian at Providence High School in New Lenox. She ministered in the Congregation for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life in Rome for 20 years, and served in the Office of the Metropolitan Tribunal for the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, she ministered at Holy Innocents (1949-1955), St. John of God (1955-1957), St. Helen (1960-1965), St. Wenceslaus (1965-1971), and the Office of Metropolitan Tribunal (2000-2014).

Sinsinawa Dominican Sister Mary (Ora) Fox, 89, died May 26 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Born in Wisconsin, Sister Mary made her first religious profession as a Sinsinawa Dominican in 1950 and her perpetual profession in 1953. She was a teacher, school administrator, catechist, director of religious education and community liaison in Illinois, Montana, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Florida and Oklahoma.

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, Sister Mary taught at Visitation (1962-1964) and St. Thomas More (1967-1971). She was principal of St. Basil (1978-1984).

She is survived by two brothers, Leonard Peacock and Jim Fox.

Deacon Marvin Kocar, 87, died May 4 after a long illness. He was ordained in 1986 and served at St. Pius X Parish, Stickney.

Born and raised in Chicago and a resident of Lyons, Deacon Kocar was a U.S. Navy veteran and he worked as an instructor at the Chicago Transit Authority. He enjoyed his retirement traveling, fishing and biking.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret; children Linda Kucera and Marianne Kubat; three grandchildren; and his sister, Beverly Tomzik.